Loving scorn and compassionate sarcasm from the creator of Belacqua Jones.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Gay Marriage and the Future of the Species

The movement for gay marriage is picking up momentum. Several states have approved it and my state, New Jersey, is considering it. So, it’s time we took a hard look at the Bible since it is the weapon of choice wielded by those opposed to it.

The Bible is crammed full of rules and regulations. Some of them deal with morality, such as don’t kill, don’t steal, etc. Of course, the irony is that the ones most essential for a decent society are the ones so readily ignored.

Others have a practical application. For example, eating shell fish in an age prior to the introduction of efficient refrigeration was risky, at best. The prohibitions against homosexuality fall into this category for two reasons.

First, the life expectancy in biblical times was around twenty-one. This number was dragged down by a high rate of infant mortality. Under these circumstances, a woman had to go through six pregnancies just to keep the population stable.

Second, it was a labor-intensive age, be it farming or crafts, and the main source of labor was the family, i.e., children.

In this context, a homosexual relationship was, indeed, a danger to the community because it deprived it of twelve pregnancies.

Fast forward to the anthropocene epoch when homo sapiens covers the Earth like an out-of-control vermin and it could well be that gay marriage will be the oursalvation.

About Me

Case Wagenvoord's articles have been posted at "The Smirking Chimp", "Countercurrents" and "Dissident Voice". When he's not writing or brooding, he is carving hardwood bowls that have been displayed in galleries and shows across the country. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and two cats.
His book, "Open Letters to George W. Bush" is available at Amazon.com.